Emergency shut-off valve



Jan. 6, 1959 F. F. RlKE ETAL EMERGENCY SHUT-OFF VALVE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 15, 1956 INVENTORS FREDERICK E R/KE RICHARD M KL/KUNAS Aria/nay:

Jan. 6, 1959 F. F. RIKE ET AL 2,867,228 I EMERGENCY SHUT-OFF VALVE Filed June 15, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' Fig.5

I @i 2a 64 26 INVENTOR. 28 FREDERICK E R/KE 24 32 26 54 RICHARD M KL/KUNAS United States Patent D ce 1 g L a V, Patented Jan. 6, 1959 i l 2 a s A still further particular object of the present invention is the provision of a valve of the nature referred to, in- 2 867 22s cluding the feature of a break-off section in the valve,

EMERGENCY SHUT-OFF VALVE Application June 15, 1956, Serial No. 591,624 6 Claims. (Cl. 137-68) This invention relates to valves, and in particular to emergency shut-off valves with gasoline pumping installations and the like.

In connection with the transporting or handling of inflammable, corrosive, or extremely valuable fluids it is essential to guard, as much as possible, against accidental loss of the liquid or fluid, particularly when emergency conditions arise.

A particular example occurs in connectipn with the transportation and handling of gasoline which is highly inflammable. In connection with the transporting of the gasoline, this is usually done by truck and, in the event of a mishap to the truck, it becomes important to seal oh. the gasoline in the tank so that it does not leak therefrom. H

Another particular instance occurs in connection with filling stations, wherein the gasoline is pumped from underground tanks to dispensing units that are arranged on islands behind the vehicle which is being serviced; With a service station installation of this nature it is im portant to guard against the damaging of a dispensing unit due to a vehicle running into one of them, and also to provide means for shutting off the gasoline quickly in the event of a fire.

In connection with gasoline service stations, a second problem arises, particularly in c'onnection with larger stations, in that a preferred manner of handling gasoline according to present practices is to provide a pump With an underground tank which builds up a pressure head on the supply line that runs from the said pump to the dispensing units which handle that particular gasoline.

With this arrangement the pressure at thedispensing apparatus nearest the supply pump is highest, and at the most remote dispensing apparatus the pressure is the lowest, particularly when both the dispensing units are operating. This is undesirable because it can produce inaccuracies in quantities delivered and makes the operation of the dispensing units non-uniform as to speed.

With the foregoing in mind, the primary object of the present invention is the provision of a valve particularly adapted for use in the systems referred to above which will overcome the drawbacks and disadvantages referred to that exist in present systems.

A particular object of the present invention is the provision of a normally open valve which is arranged to close automatically under predetermined emergency conditions.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a valve which will close automatically under emergency conditions and which is variable as to the degree which it opens, whereby it will operate also as a throttle valve. I

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a valve of the nature referred to adapted for closing automatically under emergency conditions, and which is also adapted for being tripped closed manually should it become necessary or desirable.

that permits closing of the valve automatically when broken, and which breakotf section is located in a replaceable and inexpensive portion of the valve;

The several objectives referred to above are attained according to the present invention by providinga valve having a movable valve member therein, such as a swing gate which is biased toward its closed position by-a' spring mounted either within the valve body or on the valve body externally thereof. The valve member is normally held open by a fusible link attached between an operating lever for the valve member and a detachable portion of the valve body, and which fusible link, inaddition to melting at a predetermined temperature to permit the valve to close under conditions of a fire hazard, can also be manually detachable from the valve by fingertip pressure.

The portion of the valve body to which the link is attached is threaded to the valve proper, and includes a reduced sectional portion that can be broken mechanically under predetermined force, thereby to release the valve member under such it will snap closed. I 1 1 The latching open of the valve member by the fusible link is also made adjustable by providing a shiftable anchor at the valve body end of the fusible link so that the valve member can be latched open to a variable degree, thereby permitting use of the valve as a'throttle valve simultaneously with the use thereof as'an emer. gency shut-elf valve. a

The several objectives and advantages referred to above will become more apparent upon reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a more or less diagrammatic view showing a filling station installation where a single pump supplies gasoline to several dispensers, and with valves according to the present invention being included in each of the dispensers; 3 H

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view indicated by line 2-2 on Figure 1 showing more or less diagrammatically the mounting of a valve according to the present invention at the point where the supply pipe enters each dispenser and illustrating how the supply pipe is solidly anchored immediately adjacent the valve; 1

Figure 3 is an elevational view looking in at the preferred form of the valve from the end thereof carrying emergency conditions so that the fusible link and the break-off collar;

Figure 4 is a plan view looking down on top of the valve of Figure 3 a Figure 5 is a sectional view indicated by line 5-5 on Figure 4 showing the valve in section; and

Figure 6 is a view like Figure 5 butshowing a modified arrangement wherein the spring for urging the valve toward its closed position is located internally of the valve body rather than externally thereof.

Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, Figure'l shows an underground tank 10 in which there is a pump 12; for example, a centrifugal pump which supplies gasoline to a supply conduit 14 leading to the several dispensing units 16 located on the raised concrete island 18.

The conduit means 14 has a branch leading through the concrete island 18 into each dispensing unit and, as will be seen in Figure 2, there is located within each of the dispensing units, where the branch conduit 14 pertaining thereto emerges through the concreteof the island, a valve 20. Valve 20, which is the valve of the present invention, serves the purpose of an emergency shut-01f enemas. 7 j

valve, both manual and automatic, and likewise serves as an adjustable throttling valve so that each of the dispens=' ing units 16 tends to delivergasoline at about the same rate and pressure. I I p The construction of each of the valves 20. vviil l become more apparent upon reference to Figures '3 through which illustrate in detail the preferred form which the valve according to the present invention takes, and'Figure 6 which shows a modified construction thereof.

Referring first to Figures 3, 4 and 5, the valve comprises a body part 22 having an inlet end with a female thread 24 adapted for mounting on the end of the pertaining branch conduit '14, as illustrated in Figure 2. The discharge end of the valve has'the male threaded portion 26 on which is mounted the collar 28 and which isthreaded for receiving the Coupling or dresser nipple 30 for connection of the valve with the pipe system within the dispensing unit. a

The valve body 22 has therein a valve seat 32 and engageable therewith is the valve member 34 which comprises the two fnovably interen'gaged parts that are loosely mounted with an apertured end part 36 of an operating lever which, at its opposite end, is fixed to a shaft 38 projecting out through the side of the valve body through the sealing means '40.

I At its outer end shaft 38 carries a lever arm 42, the

, upper end of which comprises a short projection engaging one end of a torsion spring 44 which has its other end anchored on the valve body. This torsion spring biases the valve member continuously toward its closed position.

The other end 'of lever 42 has therein a screw 46 that loosely receives one end of a fusible link48 of any conventional type; the other end of which link loosely I fits over a 'roller pin 50 carried in an car 52 extending from a ring '54 rotatably mounted on collar 28 and adapted for being fixed in position bya set screw 56. It will be at once apparent that the ring 54 can be angularly adjusted on collar 28 tovary the amount of opening of the valve, thereby to permit free flow of fluid therethrough or to throttle the fluid therethrough to any desired degree. In this manner the supply of fluid to the several dispensing units can be made at substantially uniform pressure and velocity.

1 According to the present invention the collar 28 has formed therein an annular undercut or groove 58 which provides the collar with a section which'will break off at a predetermined lateral thrust on the valve. For

example, the valve illustratedis constructed of bronze and with the undercut illustrated the collar'will break off at 350 foot pounds lateral thrust thereon, plus or minus ten percent. It will be evident that the collar 28 is en tirely separate from the main portion of the valve body,

and that should it occur that the collar is broken off for any reason, this does not detract from the utility'of the main part of the valve and the valve can be restored to perfect and original operating condition merely by replacement of the collar 28, which, of course, can be accomplished quite readily.

l -I-t will be seen that the valve of the .present invention thus offers the distinct advantage of providing not only the emergency and manual shut-oil features referred to, but is quite inexpensively restored in the event of any type of shut-off.

For example, the collar will cost from about one-. twentieth to one-tenth of what the valve itself will cost so that it will be apparent that the provision of the auxiliarycollar is a distinctadvantage oven-for example, the construction shown in the co-pending Donald L. Billiam application, Serial No. 541,774, filed October 20, 1955, and assigned to the same assignee as in the instant appli cation. The present application likewise has the feature of adjustability that is lacking in the Billiarn disclosure referred to. I, In the modification just described the spring snapping the valveclos'ed is arranged externally of "the valve body,

but can also be arranged internally, if so desired, without any substantial change in the valve structure. I

A valve having aninternal spring is shown in Figure 6 wherein there is provided a spring housing 60 upstanding from the valve body and containing compression spring 62. Compression springs surround the pin and sleeve arrangement 64, the upper end of which engages the inside of the spring housing 60, and the lower end of which engages the protuberanc'es of the upper side of the ringportion 66 of the valve lifter. In all other respects the valve of the Figure 6 arrangement can be identical with that of the first described modification. 1

An important element in connection with the mounting of the valve is the provision of a solid support for the pipe leading to the inlet sidegof the valve body so that, upon emergency conditions arising from impact or deflection or the like, the load on the outlet pipe leading from the valve will be properly concentrated in the undercut portion ss, thus providing for predictable break-oil convalve body having a flow channel therethrough with inlet 7 and outlet ends for connection with the flow system, a valve member in said body movable for opening and closing said channel, a lever external of the valve body connected with said member to move said member, spring means biasing the valve member toward channel closing position, the outlet end-of said valve body'comprising'a detachable collar, said 'collar having an annular zone-of predetermined weakness thereabout to provide for a break-oil point in the valve body, said collar on the opposite side of said annular zone from the valve body and being angularly adjustable on the collar, and a link connected be-tweenthe lever and a predetermined point on the ring for holding said valve member in any predetermined position between closed and full open, the connection between the link, lever and ring being such that said link may be released from one of said rings and levers by fingertip pressure 2. In an emergency valve of the nature referred to; a valve body having a flow channel therethrough with inlet and outlet ends for connection with the flow system, a valve member in said body movable for opening and closing said channel, a lever external of the valve body connected with said member to move said member, spring means biasing the valve "member toward channel closing position, the outlet end of said valve body comprising a detachable-collar, said collar having an annular zone of predetermined weakness thereabout to provide for a break-01f point in the valve body, a'ring mounted on said collar on. the opposite side of s'a'id annular zone from the valve body and being angularly adjustable on the collar, a link connected between the lever and a predetermined point on said ring for holding said valve member in any predetermined position between closed and full open, the connection between the link, lever and ring being such that said link may be released from one of said rings and levers by fingertip pressure, and said link being fusible at r a predetermined temperature.

3. In an emergency valve of the nature referred to; a

valve body having a flow'channe'l therethrough with inlet.

and outlet ends for connection with a flow system, a'valve member 1n said valve body movable for opening and closing said channel, a lever external of the valve body connected with said valve member to move said valve member, spring means biasing the said valve member toward channel closing position, the outlet end of said valve body comprising a detachable collar, said collar having an annular zone of predetermined Weakness thereabout to a ring mounted on,

provide for a break-off point in said valve body, a ring mounted on said collar on the opposite side of said annular zone from said valve body and being angularly adjustable on the collar, a pin in the collar and a pin parallel therewith in the lever, and a link connected between said pins for holding said valve member in a predetermind position, said spring means comprising a torsion spring connected between said valve body and said lever.

4. In an emergency valve of the nature referred to; a valve body having a flow channel therethrough with inlet and outlet ends for connection with a flow system, a valve member in said valve body movable for opening and closing said channel, a lever external of the valve body connected with said valve member to move said valve member, spring means biasing the valve member toward channel closing position, the outlet end of said valve body comprising a detachable collar, said collar having an annular zone of predetermined weakness thereabout to provide for a break-off point in the valve body, a ring mounted on said collar on the opposite side of said annular zone from the valve body and being angularly adjustable on the collar, a pin in the collar and a pin parallel therewith in the lever, and a link connected between the said pins for holding said valve member in a predetermined position, said spring means comprising a compression spring within the valve body.

5. In a gasoline dispensing system; a gasoline supply tank, pump means having a suction side connected with the tank for drawing gasoline therefrom, a plurality of gasoline dispensing units in spaced relation, conduit means connecting the discharge side of the pump means with said dispensing units for delivering gasoline thereto, said conduit means being firmly fixed in place, a valve connecting the conduit means with each said dispensing unit, each said valve comprising a valve body with a flow passage therethrough, a valve member in each said flow passage spring urged toward passage closing position, an operating lever on each valve member for moving the valve member to open position, a pin adjustably mounted on each said valve body, a link connecting each said pin with the operating lever of the valve member of the pertaining valve whereby to hold the valve member in open position and the adjustability of the said pin permitting variation in the opening of the valve member thereby to provide for uniform conditions of delivery of gasoline from the several spaced dispensing units, and said link being fusible and also being releasable from one of said pins and levers by fingertip pressure, and said valve body comprising a frangible section located between the said pin and the valve lever pertaining thereto whereby breaking of said frangible means will be accompanied b immediate closing of the valve.

6. In a valve; a valve body having a flow passage therethrough with an inlet end, a collar on the valve body at the discharge end of the flow passage projecting from the valve body for connecting the valve body with a conduit, said collar being detachably connected with said valve body and including a region of reduced cross section so as to be breakable under a predetermined load, a valve member in said valve body and a valve seat in said body adapted for being engaged by said valve member, spring means urging said valve member toward said seat, a lever external of the valve body attached to the valve member for moving it between its open and closed positions, a ring rotatably mounted on said collar on the opposite side of said reduced cross section portion thereof from said valve body, a pin in the ring and a pin attached to the said lever, and a fusible link having its ends connected with said pins for releasably holding said valve member open to any predetermined degree.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 450,588 Lunkenheimer Apr. 14, 1891 1,164,436 Wehmann Dec. 14, 1915 1,712,498 Hawxhurst May 14, 1929 1,924,356 Glab Aug. 29, 1933 2,031,630 Belknap Feb. 25, 1936 2,080,485 Johnsen May 18, 1937 2,630,818 McRae Mar. 10, 1953 

